The editorial opines that recalls are only justified in cases where public officials have committed crimes, such as in the city of Bell. One can refute that argument with two words: Gray Davis. Gov. Davis was never accused of a crime but was removed from office in 2003 by an electorate fed up with the dysfunctional politics of Sacramento.

The power to recall elected officials before their terms expire has been a fundamental part of California’s governmental system since 1911 and has been used by voters to express dissatisfaction with their elected representatives. To protect that right from challenge, both state law and the California Constitution make clear that sufficiency of reason is not reviewable.

It is not unusual for voters to recall elected officials over pocketbook issues. Just last November, voters in the Yorba Linda Water District recalled two public officials who significantly increased water rates. And this has also happened in Oxnard. Back in 1984, Oxnard voters recalled Mayor Tsujio Kato for his support of a utility tax.

The case for removing members of the current Oxnard City Council is even more compelling than the above examples. Four council members defied the decision of voters last November, when 72 percent voted for Measure M to overturn the council’s outrageous 87 percent sewage rate increase.

Voters rightfully expected that the council would follow the people’s directive in good faith and seek low-cost solutions. Instead, our elected officials went forward with a lawsuit seeking to overturn our decision — using taxpayer dollars to pay out-of-town lawyers in amounts that will likely exceed the cost of a special election.

And then these four council members (Flynn, Ramirez, Perello and Madrigal) added insult to injury by voting last month for a new 75 percent sewage rate increase, which will cost a typical household an extra $279.24 per year.

Our elected officials have forgotten that the voters are the boss in this relationship. Disobeying a directive from your boss is insubordination — a firing offense. Fortunately, we need not wait for an employee’s next biennial review to discipline bad behavior.

If we want elected officials to carry out the people’s will in good faith, it is vital that there be significant — and prompt — consequences for intentionally failing to do so.

We urge Oxnard voters to sign the recall petitions. The sooner we qualify for the ballot, the sooner voters can decide whether these politicians ought to remain our employees.